Police Inspector Held Under Digital Arrest for a Month, Pays Rs 71 Lakh in Ransom

GWALIOR: In a recent case of cyber fraud, a BSF officer in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has been duped of Rs 71 lakh by cybercriminals.

Authorities have called it the largest digital scam in the city’s history. The fraudsters reportedly “digitally arrested” the officer, trapping him in a web of fear and manipulation.

According to the officer, the ordeal began about a month ago when he received a WhatsApp call from the scammers. The caller claimed to be investigating a money-laundering case and alleged that the officer’s phone was under surveillance.

The fraudsters issued threats, warning him not to disclose the matter to anyone, or else his children and family members would be arrested.

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Living alone in Gwalior, the officer succumbed to their threats and began transferring money as instructed. Over the course of a month, he made around 34 transactions, transferring a staggering Rs 71 lakh to the fraudsters. The fear of “digital arrest” was so intense that he even sold his property to arrange the funds.

The scam came to light when the officer’s son discovered the ongoing fraud and intervened. He convinced his father to report the matter to the Gwalior Superintendent of Police (SP). The officer, still shaken, narrated the entire episode to SP Dharamveer Singh, who confirmed that an extensive investigation into the matter has been initiated.

SP Singh revealed that the fraudsters used fear tactics to coerce the officer, even claiming that their actions were part of official “awareness campaigns.” The officer, overwhelmed by fear, complied with their demands without informing his BSF office.

Authorities are now tracing the transactions and working to uncover the network behind this elaborate scam. The SP assured that appropriate legal action will be taken once the investigation concludes.

This case serves as a grim reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for heightened vigilance, especially among those in sensitive professions.

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